COMPOSITION FEATURES AND INDUSTRIAL APPRALSAL OF THE BABA ODE TALC OCCURRENCE, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The Baba Ode talc with a preliminary quantitative estimation of 3 million tons, occurs in close association with a mafic complex. This complex is surrounded by a series of compositionally variable gneisses, syenites, phillytes and mica schists, granites and coarse pegmatites all of the Iseyin-Oyan schist belt. This study aims at assessing the petrographic, chemical and physical composition of the talc body in order to appraise its industrial suitability. Two petrographic varieties, a white talcose, and a fibrous light grayish tremolitic variety characterize the body. X- ray and petrographic studies show that mineralogically they comprise mainly of talc, tremolite and chlorite with subordinate quartz and muscovite. Chemical analysis of representative samples using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) instrumentation methods show that the tremolitic variety is higher in Si20 (53.97%) and Al203. (1.9%) than in the talcose. Fe (t) as Fe203 (4.35%) and Ca0 (1.7%) content in the two varieties are non-variable. While Mg0 values in the talcose (33.25%) is higher than in the tremolitic type (31.39%). Concentration of Ti02, Mn02, Na0 and P205 for both varieties do not exceed 0.25%. Firing characteristics reveal an average loss on ignition (L.O.I) of 4.21% for the two types. Linear shrinkage (L.S.V) average 1.35% while average water absorption capacity is 4.1%. A flat to gently undulating topographic configuration and easy accessibility enhance the mineability of body. The talc body therefore with some beneficiation will be useful in paper, paint, roofing and ceramic manufacturing. Key words: Talc occurrence, petrographic, chemical, industrial. [Global Jnl Geol. Sci. Vol.1(1) 2003: 63-72